Luggage



H. J. RlEs LUGGAGE April 13, 1943.

Filed May l2, 1941 INVENTOR` HERMA/VJ f/Es ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 13, 1943 g'rsN'r oFF-ICE LUGGAGE Herman J. Ries, New York, N. .Y., assignor to Percy W. Valentine, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Application May 12, 1941, serial No. 393,038

7 Claims.

This invention relates to luggage of vthe type employing means for hanging garments or artcles of apparel in the luggage to keep the same ina neat and finished appearance, and the object of the invention is to provide luggage of the character described, with simple and eco-V nomical garment hanging and folding means to compactly pack garments in a luggage case while at the same time facilitating the hanging thereof from the case when the latter is arranged upon a table or other support; a further object being to provide a garment supporting and folding frame of general U-shaped construction, pivotly supported in connection with the lower portion of the case and swingable outwardly through a front removable cover part, and further to the provision of a hanger rod including an angularly extensible and upwardly raised arm adapted to protrude through the front open end of the case adjacent the top thereof in the operation of suspending garments from the case and in guiding the same into supported positionwithin Athe case; a further object being to provide means for retaining the folded portions of the garment against displacement on the cross rod of the frame to insure proper folding of the garments when collapsing the same within the case; a further object being to providemeans for limiting the inward movement of the frame into the case so as to prevent crushing or vcreasing of the garments; and a still further object being to provide'means extending across the central portion of the garments and arranged thereover to supportA the same in folded and packed position to retain the same against displacement; and with these and other objects in View the invention consists in luggage of the class and for the purpose specied, which is constructed as more fully hereinafter described.

The invention is fully disclosed in the following specification, of which the accompanying drawing forms a part, in which the separate parts of my improvement are designated by suitable reference charactersV in each of the views, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a sectional view through a luggage case made according to my invention, showing f the cover in a removed position.

Fig. 5 is a perspective detail View of-part of oneA of the brackets employed; and,

Fig. 6"is a detailed view of part of a garment hanger rod showing a modication.

In the construction of luggage of the general type and kind under consideration, the hardware employed for hanging and folding garments to be packed within the luggage, has as a rule been quite complicated in construction and further costly, thus materially increasing the ultimate selling price of the case, and still further has added considerably to the weight of the case. It isv the primary object of my invention to provide garment hanging and folding hardware for cases of the character described, which is very simple and economical in construction and also light in weight, to minimize the added weight to a case, and still further to so construct the various parts of the hangingV and folding mechanism as to provide simplified and more practical arrangement rof the garments within the case. particularly in accommodating comparatively long garments inv a relatively small case, and in such manner thaty the garments are maintained' in hanging position when the case is carried about.

While' the invention' is adapted for use in conjunction with cases of many types and kinds, I

have shown for the purpose of illustrating one adaptation of the' invention, a suitcase comprising a main case part I0', comprising a back wall II, top wallY I2, bottom wall I3, and sideA walls I4. The bottom wall, inthe construction shown, extends forwardly beyond the front edge Il of the side walls ld as seen at I6, and this extension forms a shallow tray portion, partitioned by members I'I to form a series of small compartments, in which articles may be'placed. The -extension' I6 has-an upwardly projecting flange portion I'8 on which is arranged two hinge plates I9 with' which hook hinge parts' 20on'a removable cover 2|, are adapted to be coupled and uncoupled. Y The usual conventional .hardware will be employed for coupling the cover 2| with the case and for locking` the same in position if desired, but as these form no .direct 'part of the present invention no"specic description is made thereof. On the top wall I2' is indicated the handle member 22 by means of which the case may be carried. A back ap 7.3 is secured' tothe bottom of the case as' seen at 24, and' detachable with Ythe .back to .form a bottom pocket 25 anda back pocket '2li4 so that articles placed 'in these pockets may be protected. from the garments arranged in the case; Straps'l extend along the inner surface of the back wall to support shoes or other articles thereon; At 28 is shown a front flap secured to the inner surface of the top wall as seen at 29. This flap is adapted to extend downwardly over the garments when packed in the case. In the several figures the flap 28 is shown thrown over the case in order to clearly illustrate arrangement of the garments in the case. Centrally of the top portion of the case is a forwardly extending garment hanging rod 30, one end of which is supported by a plate 3l secured to the back Wall Il, and the forward end of which is supported by a loop-shapedr bracket 33 supported on the inner surface of the top Wall I2 at one side of the rod so as to provide free inwardly passage of hooks 33 of conventional' garment hangers 34. Pivoted to the forward end portion of the rod 30, is a swinging arm extension 35 which is pivoted to swing substantially at an angle of 45 degrees, as noted in Fig. 4 of the drawing.` The arm 35 is offset upwardly as seen at 36, so as to extend the free end portion of the arm at a higher point with respect to the rod 30, when the arm is moved into a forwardly extended position as indicated in dot and dash line in Fig. 1 and shown in full lines in Figs. 2 and 3. The purpose of this upward extension is to raise the garments in such manner as to provide a more complete and compact folding of the garments in the case, that is to say, to increase the distance between the top of the garment and that part of the garment engaged by the cross rod 31 of a supporting and folding frame 38. By spacing these two points the greatest possible distance, the garment 39 will fold as at 4I), note Fig. 3, at a point lower in the luggage than would be the case if the arm 35 extended directly out from the rod 30. At the free end ofthe arm 35'is an upwardly extending headed pin 4I which prevents displacement of the garment hangers from said arm.

The frame 38'includes side rails 42 joined at their outer ends by the cross rod 31 and the inner ends are provided with offset portions 43 in order to extend the frame outwardly beyond the front flange I8 of the case in the manner clearly illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawing, when theframe is in the open or extended position. 'IIlns allows the frame to drop perpendicularly from the bottom of the case, for example over the edge of atable or other support 44 on which the ,case is placed, as diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 2 ofthe drawing. The free ends of the extensions 43 are pivoted, as seen at 45, to swinging brackets 45, the latter being pivoted to the extensions of the side walls I4 as seen at 41, note Fig. 1 of the drawing. This 'pivotal movement of the brackets allows the brackets to swing upwardly, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. l, when the frame 38 is in its extended position. The brackets 46 have yoke-shaped upwardly directed extensions 48 in which the pivots 45 are arranged so as to dispose the extensions 43 upon the upper surfaces of the brackets when the frame 38 is in closed position. The forward edgesr49 of the brackets strike the inner surface of the ilange I8 in supporting the brackets in horizontal position. This maintains the side rails 42 of the frame V38 in proper position in the case, the rails 42 being further supported by outwardly extending stop cleats I) projecting from the inner surfaces of 'the side walls I4 of the case. The cleats 50 form part of brackets which also support the ends of straps 5I which are adapted to extend across and in front of the packed garments in a case, the straps being adjustably coupled by a buckle 52, note Fig. 4 of the drawing.

Employed in conjunction with the frame 38 to extend longitudinally of the cross rod 31 is an elastic strap 53 fixedly secured at one end and having a snap button or other fastening 54 at its other end, and this strap is adapted to be arranged over the garments when suspended, as indicated in Fig. 2 of the drawing, so that in the upward swinging movement of the frame 38, as partially indicated in Fig. 3 of the drawing, the strap 53 will serve to retain the garments against shifting or displacement on the rod 31 thus main- By virute of'this construction, I have found that longer dresses, that is to say dresses beyond the -normal length, may be properly folded and packed in a relatively small case, that is to say that dresses as well as other garments may be made to fold completely within the top and bottom walls I2 and I3 of the case, bearing in mind that when a number of garments are arranged in the case they will extend above the rod 31 and suiicient clearance must be allowed so that these multiplicity of garments will pass beneath the rod V3E! when the hangers are moved into the case. In the present construction only a single dress is shown for illustrative purpose simply to simplify thevillustration, but it will .readily be understoodV thatk when several dresses and possibly a suit including trousers, are arranged on the hanger and swinging frame, sufficient clearance will be provided for inward movement of the frame with the garments disposed over the rod 31. Of course it will be understood that the degree of upward extension of the offset portion of the arm 35 of the garment hanging rod may be varied to suit different types of cases, and the particular degree of swinging movement may valso be varied.

In some angular positions 0f the rod extending arm 35 it will be desirable to secure thefrod against swinging movement in'order to sustain the load of garments hanging on the rod when in a position as shown inFlg. 2of the drawing. Forthis purpose a sliding sleeve 55 will be arranged on the arm 35 so as to slide inwardly over the pivot 56 of the arm with the rod 30.

The sleeve 55 inthe collapsed position of the arm shown in Figs. l and 4 is arranged upon the short pivot end portion of the rod outwardly of the pivot, thus providing free swinging move-- in extended position.

In the use of a suitcase-of the kind under consideration, it is preferred that the case be arranged on a table, suitcase supporting stand, or the like. The arm 35 of the garment hanging rod 30 is then swung upwardly and outwardly after the cover 2l has been removed and the flap 23 thrown backwardly. Thereafter the frame 38v is swung outwardly and downwardly in a position similar to thatrshown in Fig. 2 and the strap 53 is moved into its dotted line position. Now garments can be hung on a number of hangers such as 34, arranged upon the extending arm35 with the lower ends of the garments 'extending over the rod 31. When the desired number offgarments have been arranged in position,'the strap 53 is then secured in position, then the top'portions of the garments are pushed into the, case so that the hangers aresuspended from the. rod

K30.,.and the frame 38 is then swung upwardly.

and into the case. ThisI latter operationcan be performed, however, without first moving the topsofj the garments-into the case as the latter operation will automatically move the top por-l tions of the-garments into the case. The inward movement of theframe 38 is checked by the stopcleats B, an'dnow the straps 5|v are passed over the folded garments invthe'mannerseen infFig'. 4 of the drawing, and the arm 35 can then be swung inwardly and the cover 21| can'then be ren attached tothe case.

A suitcase ofthe character described is also practical from the standpoint that in travelingand in making stop-overs, the suitcase may be opened to the position shown in Fig. 2 of the drawing and the suitcase may be utilized as a means for hanging the garments in fully extended position. This is particularly desirable when suitable facilities are not provided for otherwise hanging the garments. In this way the Suitcase functions in the manner vof a wardrobe. It will also be apparent that the outwardly and laterally extending ends 51 of the rails 52 of the frame 38 serve to retain the garments where folded over the rod 31 within the boundaries of the frame, and the lateral aring of these frame ends 51, engaging the inner surfaces of the side walls I4 preventing shifting of the frame in the case and displacement of the articles of apparel supported on the frame. This later function is also accomplished through the medium of the straps 5l. It will also appear that by arranging the rod 30 at the top carrying portion of the case, the garments are carried in a natural hanging position which maintains the garments against undesirable wrinkling or creasing. It will be apparent that the oiset ends 43 of the frame 38 in addition to extending the frame beyond the lower front portion of the case so as to drop perpendicularly in the manner seen in Fig. 2 of the drawing, also serves to extend the frame into the case a sufcient distance to form the proper spacing of this frame between the front and back walls of the case to compensate for the double section of each garment between the back wall and the frame and the single section of each garment disposed between the frame and the front wall or cover.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Pattent, is:

1. The combination with a suitcase of the character described, or means for hanging, folding and supporting garments within the case, said means comprising a hanger rod centrally of the top portion of the case, a U-shaped frame pivoted to the lower side portions of the case, the frame having at its free end portion a cross rod, said frame being adapted to swing outwardly through the front open side of the case with said rod spaced with respect to the case, said rod forming means folding part of Aa garment to be arranged in the case, said hanger rod being adapted to support garment hangers engaging the upper shoulder portions of garments for arrangement in the case, said hanger rod having a foldable outwardly extending arm portion, said arm portion having an upwardly oifset part when arranged in extended position to provide greater spacing between the hanger rod and the cross rod of said frame when the latter is in extended position.

2. The combination with a suitcase of the character described, of means for hanging, folding and supporting garments within the case, said meanseomprsing a hanger rod centrally of the top portion of the case, a Uf-shapedframe-pivoted to' tlielower sidefpor-tions-of` the case, the frame"- havi'ng at its free end portionl aV cross rod, said frame being adapted to swing` outwardly throughthe'- front open side ofthe case with said rod spaced with respect tothe case, said-rod forming' means folding part of a garment to be arranged in the case, said hanger rod being adapted to' support` garment hangers 4engaging the upper shoulder portions of garments for arrangement in the case, said hanger rod hav-ing'. a foldable offset extension adapted in the extended position to be disposed above said hanger rod and in the collapsed position to extend downwardly and. overlie the cross rod of said frame, and swinging brackets forming the pivotal connection of the frame with the side walls of the case.

3. The combination with a suitcase of the character described, of means for hanging, folding and supporting garments within the case, said means comprising a hanger rod centrally of the top portion of the case, a U-shaped frame pivoted to the lower side portions 0f the case, the frame having at its free end portion a cross rod, said frame being adapted to swing outwardly through the front open side of the case with said rod spaced with respect to the case, said rod forming means folding part of a garment to be arranged in the case, said hanger rod being adapted to support garment hangers engaging the upper shoulder portions of garments for arrangement in the case, said hanger rod having a foldable outwardly extending arm portion said arm portion having an upwardly offset part when arranged in extended position to provide greater spacing between the hanger rod and the cross rod of said frame when the latter is in extended position, and means cooperating with the cross rod of said frame retaining garments against shifting 4on the rod in swinging the frame from an open to a closed position.

4. In a suitcase of the class described, a garment folding and supporting frame, said frame having parallel side rails, one end of therails having angular offsets, means pivoting the offset ends of the railsto the case adjacent front and side walls thereof, the free ends of said rails being joined by a cross rod disposed inwardly of said rail ends, means on side walls of the case engaging said rails in limiting inward movement of the frame with respect to the case, and the pivotal mounting of the frame with the case comprising swinging brackets providing perpendicular arrangement of the side rails of the frame with respect to the front of the case when the frame is in extended position.

5. In luggage of the character described, means for hanging, folding and supporting garments in connection with the luggage, said means comprising a garment hanging device having an extensible part, a U-shaped frame pivoted to the luggage, the cross rod of the frame when in open position being widely spaced with respect to the case and said device, and the extensible part of said device including a hanger portion projecting in a direction away from the cross rod of said frame to increase the spacing between said hanger portion and said rod to minimize the size requirements of the case in properly folding and supporting garments therein.

6. The combination with luggage employing a box-shaped case proper with a forwardly projecting tray part at the lower portion of the front open side of the case, and a cover detachable case, and said coupling means comprising linksv pivoted to said ends and case providing slight vertical movement of said rail ends.

7. The combination with luggage employing a box-shaped case proper with a forwardly projecting tray part at the lower portion of the front open side Vof the case, and a cover detachable with said tray portion and forming a closure for the open side of the case, of a garment folding and supporting U-shaped frame, said frame having side rails joined at free end portions by a cross garment folding rod, the other ends of the rails being pivotally coupled with respect to the case, said last named ends being offset to clear the case extension in arranging the frame in an outwardly extending position with respect to the case, and an elastic strap paralleling the cross rod of said frame and cooperating therewith in retaining garments against shifting on the rod in swinging garments into the case.

HERMAN J. RIES. 

